I was on a roll making tote bags. This one is a belated birthday gift. I thought it would be easy, but it was challenging to find fabric to complete the look I wanted. I also had to get Miggy to help me lay out the fabric since I wasn't getting the gradient I wanted. I was stuck there for awhile, but eventually finished it. 

Here's how I made it:

And here's my friend, Anne. I made her pose against an artwork at a hotel which looked a bit similar to the bag (just a different color).

*Thanks for indulging me to pose, haha. 

More information about how to make this bag: https://www.needleadventures.com/2024/08/quilted-monochromatic-tote-bag.html

#BeKind #StaySafe

Finally got around to making a quilt cover for a bench at home. I originally had it made for my craft room, but we moved it to the family room where it fit better. I wanted to make a cover for it to prolong the lifespan of the pink cover. It would be expensive to have it cleaned often, so the best way to prolong it's life is to cover it. 

I wanted the cover to be colorful, so I matched the Star Wars fabric with orange, yellow, blue and green. I originally thought it would be too flashy, but Miggy said the accent went well with the theme. I thought I could finish the project in two to three weeks. It stretched to almost six weeks since I had other things to do at home, plus we had to work on our health. 

It turned out well, but I think I'll delay making another one later this year (we have two benches haha). I also want to make seat covers for the sofa set (that's going to be a super huge project). I'm still thinking about making it a modern quilt or a traditional one. I'll probably do a modern one since it's for our home anyway. 

Here's six weeks of work turned into a six minute tutorial video:

More info about this quilt project on my sewing blog: https://www.needleadventures.com/2024/03/star-wars-themed-quilt-cover-for-bench.html

#BeKind #StaySafe

My rainbow colored fabric always gives me good vibes. The color is just so happy so I thought it would be nice to use it to create a quilt cover for my oxygen concentrator. It's a huge medical device my doctor required me to have and I didn't realize it would be so big. It was parked beside my side of the bed. I use it when my O2 goes below 94. 

Scrambled to pack my sewing tools and equipment the other day because renovation work is going to start again. It's best to be out of their way so they can work faster. That meant I had to pack everything I need. I'm targeting to finish the Santa seat covers by month end. This way I'll be way more ready for Christmas 2023! 

Here's what I packed -

• 
  Sewing machine
• Sewing machine extender
• Thread
• Sewing scissors for fabric and thread
• Cutting mat
• Sand paper
• Quilting rulers
• Fabric pencils
• Bias tape maker
• My ginormous pincushion with pins and needles
• Safety pin canister
• Quilting clips
• Iron
• Wool ironing mat
• Fabric and buttons I need for the seat cover

I had fun developing new skills last year as I went through my sewing projects. I learned how to make curtains, finished my tshirt quilt project, a cover for my oxygen concentrator, and a Christmas tree skirt. I also made a couple of potholders and a Christmas placemat.  The only "artwork" I made was the pink vinta project. I wasn't able to finish my other Christmas projects and gave up on the planned handmade gifts, haha. 

I like cross-stitching and doing embroidery. It was one of my favorite sewing lessons we were taught in school. I think I will find the sampler I made once we finish unboxing and decluttering our home. The other day Sweetie found my original sewing kit. It was a pink toolbox which I think I had Mom buy for me maybe 30 years ago? 

I don't have the patience though to finish huge cross-stitch projects. I honestly still haven't finished the mother and child cross-stitch my Mom had me do when Miggy was a baby. He's now 28 and I still haven't finished it. The project has also moved across all the homes we lived in, haha. The box of DMC thread is still intact. Found it hard to complete because the design is very intricate. I'll review whether I'll continue to do it once I find all the materials. 

While de-cluttering some books, I found a give Miggy gave me almost ten years ago. "Subversive Cross Stitch", a collection of designs that will freak out my Mom (hehe). I think Miggy got it for me because he knew I'd be cool about it. I laughed as I went through the pages of the book. DMC ads keep popping up on my stream (bakit kaya?). Maybe I'll do something soon since DMC seems to have a monthly sale. 

Brought up my old sewing kit because I found two quick projects I made many years ago. A Hello Kitty cross stitch which I think is still very cute. It's probably time to frame it since my plan is to have a HK themed powder room in my craft room (yes, I'm having the shower removed since the bathroom is too small). 

And I found a small butterfly project I did. I don't recall anymore when I made these. I probably made it before I left for Singapore? Yes, probably between typhoon Ondoy and before I left for SG. Dating it after Ondoy because all of my things got wet during the flood. Luckily, both projects were in the sewing kit so it was kinda preserved. 

I'll probably stick to smaller cross-stitch projects from now on since I don't have the patience to finish bigger ones. Plus I think my trigger finger would not be happy. That's also the reason why I rarely hand quilt now. I make sure to do some PT exercises when I do to avoid pain. #signofoldage hahaha. 

You don't need to just do one kind of craft. I like exploring and incorporating my crafts. Sometimes I do some embroidery on my quilt projects. It's not perfect, but it makes me happy. Here's one I did two or three Christmases ago -

If I stuck to cross-stitching, I probably wouldn't need my own craft room. LOL. 

P.S. Santa seat cover project is progressing very slowly. Things have been crazy busy with renovations. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

After browsing through my quilt books and Pinterest, I finally decided the theme for my holiday quilts. It's going to be all about Santa! I have a pretty ambitious list of things I want to make so I thought I'd make it easy to make. 

It usually takes me 1 to 2 days to just cut fabric, a few hours to piece things together (if I'm using the sewing machine), another day or two to sandwich the quilt and another day or two to prepare and work on  the binding. I found it more efficient to bunch up the work because it's faster. 

Working on a small space forced me to find a more efficient way to enjoy my hobby. My sewing table functions as my cutting area, ironing table, sewing area, sandwiching area and dining area. Yup, since it could get very warm during the day we also eat in the craft room. We used to use the family room, but the lights need to be fixed. 

I'm pretty happy how I assembled the placemats. I just used fabric that I already have and used old mattress protectors instead of wadding. I'm bent also on re-using old sheets as backing (must find ways to save since things are quite expensive nowadays). It will take a bit more time to finish it since I need to figure out how to attach the "belt buckle". I also always procrastinate when it comes to binding because I make them from scratch. 

My seat cover project is currently on a standstill. I was able to piece it together and sandwich it already. I struggled a bit making Santa's moustache. I'm now stuck figuring out how to make the nose and the tip of Santa's hat. I'm still practicing how to make it, so far I'm not happy with the result. 

Have to get moving on my projects since I have to evacuate the craft room by end of the week. I hope the contractor will be ready to install the cabinets next week. Yay!

#BeKind #StaySafe #CreativeHappyTuesdays

Google Photos reminded me that I started the Christmas tree skirt on September 9, 2021. I had planned to finish it during quarantine. The 9 days were cut down to 6 though and I ended up sleeping through it, haha. I didn't finish the tree skirt because I was dilly-dallying over the fabric I used. I wasn't sure if they looked good. 

I was about to start making some place mats, but I was distracted with the seat cover offerings on a shopping platform. I couldn't find any that would fit my fat dining chairs so I decided to make my own. The funny thing is I ended up using the same fabric as the tree skirt, so I guess I'm going to stick to it now. I'm on a "use what you have" phase. 

Pieced together the seat cover design the past few days and spent the weekend sandwiching it. My goal for this project is to use what I have on hand. I was able to use leftover wadding from previous projects. I don't throw out wadding I've cut because I can still use the tiny pieces as filling. Those will go into the nose and the hat. Maybe I'll make small noses also for the tree skirt. 

I'm going to lose access to my craft room soon since the contractor will be fixing it. I need to pack everything again and this means I need to plan what I could work on for the next six weeks! Hope my projects turn out okay. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Finally got around to planning my Christmas projects. I spent an entire week after I finished the quilt cover I made for the O2 concentrator thinking about what I should make for Christmas. I found my idea notebook and poured over the list I made. After selecting what I want to make, I also looked at Pinterest for ideas. 

Since I don't have any Christmas quilts, I thought I'd make some for use at home. I want to make some place mats, potholders, a table runner, coasters and maybe mug rugs. I hope to finish also the tree skirt I started last year and if I still have time make some throw pillows, a lap quilt and maybe a Christmas sock.

Pinwheel lap quilt

 

In previous years, I was able to make gifts for my friends. I'm still thinking about what I can make this year that won't break my fingers (haha). The previous gifts I made were all hand sewn. I made a few lap quilts last year for my friends in Singapore and my doctors. It was a race to finish it in-between packing for our trip home. 

Lap quilt for my respiratory doctor :)

To warm up, I'll probably start making some potholders and then I'll work my way up to the table runner. I'm still figuring out how to properly do the tree skirt. I didn't finish the one I made last year because I'm not too happy with how it looks. I'll probably finish it since we're planning to put up multiple trees again this year. 

Hope I'll be more productive for the rest of the year. I spent too much time already just trying to gain more energy. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

  

We've been slowly going through our boxes and crates. Sweetie moved around some boxes and I caught a glimpse of something familiar. At the bottom of a crate I saw the first quilt project I made. I think I made it when I was a sophomore in high school. 

My first quilt project, circa 1990.

When I dug it out of the crate I was surprised to see it was still intact. It was one of the few things I kept after typhoon Ondoy put everything I owned under water. It was a quilt bag I made by hand. Mom cut it from retaso from Tita Maming's clothing export business. She used to export clothes to Japan and would give retaso to my Mom. It was one of the reasons my Mom had learned to quilt. She learned it by reading a book she got from the US, then she taught me (here's how she taught me). 

If I remember correctly, Mom taught me how to quilt during summer. She started by teaching me how to piece together squares. It eventually grew and I was able to piece together enough to make a bag. Mom bought the handle from Divisoria. I had to much fun making the bag I used it as a school bag. 

My lunch bag, circa 1990 too.

To match the bag, Mom had me make a lunch bag. I used that everyday also and I'm sure my lunchmates would still remember the bag. I also did the whole thing by hand and it even had some lace on it. I'm really surprised it's still intact and useful. If you notice from the bags, it didn't have any binding. Mom was the one who closed it for me (that's why the edges are clean). I only learned how to use binding a few years ago. 

I'm really glad my Mom taught me all these crafts. It was different every summer, crochet, embroidery, making bags from plastic straws, quilting, paper mache, beading etc. It was my Mama Lola though who taught me how to use a sewing machine. I wish though she taught me how to sew clothes. We were taught in sewing class, but I never really figured it out. 

I really enjoy keeping my hands busy. I've actually been spending less time online because I'd rather be busy with my crafts or garden. I'm currently working on making a cover for my oxygen concentrator. Once I finish it, I'll start planning for Christmas since I work so slowly. I wanted to make another quilt blanket, but since the t-shirt memory quilt took up 6 months of my quilting time I won't do one for now. 

It was nice to find the bags. Maybe I'll have it framed and I'll hang it here in my craft room :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

My arm felt a bit better today, so I resolved to make the bias tape/binding tape for the t-shirt memory quilt project I've been working on. I've not been able to work on it for a month now. My plan is to finish it, by hook or by crook before my birthday! Haha. 

Luckily, I already cut the fabric to make binding before I went on break. Finding it though was a challenge! I looked through the boxes in my fabric cabinet and couldn't find it. I eventually gave up looking and prepared the table to just cut a new batch. I was looking for a pencil when I found the strips in my sewing basket. This just means I need to do some tidying up in my craft/maker room. 

Set-up the table with the wool pad and silicon baking sheets to help absorb the heat. I usually use an ironing pad at the base too, but I got lazy today. I have to protect my sewing table to make it last longer. I already checked and they don't sell similar tables here in the Philippines. 

Took me two hours to finish 8 binding strips. I was taking it slowly so I don't irritate my angry arm nerves. The salonpas probably helped since I finished it without pain. Tomorrow I'll attempt to start binding the quilt. It's already loooong overdue and I want to work on other projects already!

I still prefer to make my own bias tape since it's quite expensive to buy. I use a bias tape maker which has helped me immensely. I used to make it by hand without an iron! It's really important to keep learning about your hobby because it will make you grow and develop. I do most of my projects now with a gadget and I'm able to complete projects faster. Happy crafter, happy me! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

I mentioned a few posts ago about the baby quilt blanket I made for Miggy. I sewed it by hand and Mom took care of binding it (I didn't know how to do binding at that time). The fabric I used were cuttings from Tita Maming's export business. She always gave my Mom cuttings that they were just going to dispose. They had really nice fabric because their primary market was Japan. All the quilts I made during that time were from the stash she gave to my Mom. 

We used pink and blue checked fabric. The design was simple and I embroidered cute shapes on some of the pieces. I'm actually surprised that the thread has held up even after almost 30 years. The last square I embroidered Miggy's name, birth date and time. 

I was so happy when Sweetie found the blanket when he pulled out the rest of our stuff from the condo. Got it washed this week. There are some stains on it which I think I will need to hand wash. It still feels really sturdy and I'm thinking of framing. It will probably be nice to hang in my sewing room. 

Well, one assignment for me is to find Miggy's baby photo with it. For now I only have grown-up Miggy with it haha. This is one thing I will cherish forever :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

I took up quilting again I think in 2014 or 2015. I told myself I had to learn how to finish a quilt. Every project I started had to have a learning goal. I also wanted to make friends happy. In 2019 one of my favorite colleagues was about to give birth to a miracle baby. Armed with my rainbow fabric collection, I embarked on making a baby quilt. I sewed everything by hand and I was still sewing it when I went to Syndey. Luckily, I was able to finish it before I left and I gave it to her in between the events we were hosting. She has since sent me many photos of her baby playing on the quilt. 

The quilt wasn't perfect, but was made with love. I was a few months into making the Harry Potter quilt blanket for friends who just got married. For this quilt I wanted to improve on my stitching and piecing corners. I also wanted to use a sewing machine for piecing the bigger parts of the quilt. The small parts of the quilt were all sewn in-flight. It reached Australia, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. It took me two years to finish it since I got so busy in 2020. I finally sent it to Canada last year. 

Before I went back home I had this great idea I could make multiple quilts by using short cuts. I wanted to learn the shortcut to making pinwheel quilts. I told myself, ahhh maybe I can make two blankets. I ended up making four and gifted it to my friends in Singapore. 

Another friend got a different version of the Harry Potter quilt blanket. For this I followed a design from a book. Miggy helped me with the colors. 

Of course, I made baby quilts for my favorite doctors. I made two versions of it. By this time I was  quite confident at machine sewing. I slowly moved to machine quilting while making the blankets. I had to because I was starting to get pains in my arm haha. I enjoyed making the blankets for my doctors. My cardiologist has been sending me cute photos of him using it. 

Oversized lap quilt blanket for my cardiologist.

Lap quilt for my respiratory doctor.

I can't believe I made 8 baby blankets last year and I haven't even finished any this year. Well, I hope to finish my t-shirt memory quilt soon! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

I've been focused on finishing the t-shirt memory quilt blanket for a few months now. I told myself I have to finish it soon since I started it in 2019. I've already made a number of lap quilts for friends, but I haven't made one for myself! I was set on finishing it this month, but I had to prioritize nursing my boys back to health so I abandoned quilting for almost 3 weeks. The good news is I have finished sandwiching it and have started quilting. If I spend 4-6 hours a day on it I might be able to finish it by mid-July. Still a big IF, haha. 

Another project I've been working on is a case for masks. Got this cute fabric last year and thought it would be perfect as a storage case for masks. I've made a couple and it just needs to be binded. I made this project to learn how to attach snap-on buttons. I usually attach a learning goal to my projects so I could develop more skills. I think I cut enough fabric for 10 mask cases, so I could attaching buttons. I gave one to my respiratory doctor's nurse in SG. She was so surprised I made it, haha. 

I still haven't completed making covers for all my appliances. I thought I was already done and realized I missed making one for the steamer and my oxygen concentrator. I've started the one for the oxygen concentrator. I'm using my rainbow fabric for it to match the other covers. The rainbow fabric has come a long way and I learned a lot of sewing techniques from it. I used to hand sew everything, but now I'm machine sewing as well to make the process faster (and to save my hand from carpal tunnel!). I need to finish this project asap! 

I just realized I only finished one quilt project this year -- the pink vinta throw pillow quilt! I wanted to make more, but I'm disciplining myself to finish my big projects first (I still have another blanket project that I started five years ago heehee). I hope when I have these things out of the way, I start other fun projects. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

A few weeks ago I was inspired by VP Leni's photo when she was in Zamboanga. It was a sunset photo by the bay with several pink vintas in the background. I've been planning to make a sea collection this year and thought I'd start it off with the vintas. Started the project by making a drawing so I could get the right measurements. 

I did everything by hand since I missed hand quilting, plus my hand has been cooperative (vitamin D3 + wall pushups ftw!). I happy to discover I have amassed a good number of pink fabric, mostly fat quarters and charms. Sweetie also got me a bunch of pink layer cakes last Christmas so it worked out perfectly. 

It took me two weeks to finish since I just worked on it at night while watching TV. And here's the quilted Vinta inspired throw pillowcases I made. I didn't fully capture the sides of the sail so I'll improve on it when I make other items. I plan to make a cover for my sewing machine and blender. I'll probably stick to smaller items since I only have fat quarters. 

Good thing my boys don't mind that I'm making our home super pink! Well just the living room for now. I relented and made yellow curtains for the kitchen, but pink checkered curtains would look nice for the kitchen so we'll see if I could stop myself hahaha. 

#BeKind #StayHome #VoteWisely